Have A Need? NJBAC Can Help.

The NJBAC is offering no-cost technical assistance, training, and problem-solving – we are here to support all of your Business Enhancement needs. Whether you have a one-off resource question, are looking for a strategic assessment of a district, or could use some quick visualized tactical inspiration to foster visible and tangible change, NJBAC can help. Contact NJBAC Assistant Director Jef Buehler to start the conversation and move towards action.

Today’s email has information on assistance we can provide, as well as about technical and financial resources that may be a fit for your community or district.

Best Practices

NJ State Plan Revision:  Do you know that the State Plan is being revised right now and will be finalized over the next year? NJ’s new plan is focused on fostering prosperity in our state (a balance of productivity and fit) for the next 20 years, and now is the best time for you and your stakeholders, partners, and communities to have a say in what the State Plan will look like. To learn more about the plan revision process and goals, as well as to offer your comments and ideas, take a look at the State Plan Revision website.  You can also directly email our State Plan Team at stateplan.comments@sos.nj.gov with insights and ideas.  The Office of State Planning is part of NJBAC, so if you are looking for a public presentation or discussion about the State Plan Revision, let us know – there are on-site and online outreach options available!

Middle Housing – Spokane Codifies Diverse Housing Options: Spokane, Washington:  One of the challenges we are seeking to overcome in NJ is housing accessibility and affordability for our residents. While there are many aspects to this issue, one way that communities around the nation are using to offer more housing options and opportunities is to revisit and change last century’s zoning limitations by becoming more creative with acceptable housing types and formats.  The city of Spokane is leading the nation in this approach:  Spokane’s Permanent Middle Housing Rules Should Set a Statewide Standard - The Urbanist

Vacant Space Mitigation: Here are some ideas for leveraging larger vacant properties/buildings into value-producers that were a hit in 2023, some of which may surprise you: Have Empty Commercial Space in 2024? Consider 10 of 2023’s Most Notable Alternative Uses. Consider adapting spaces into galleries using local/regional talent as well either for hire or as a DIY: Fill Vacant Commercial Properties With Local Artists’ Studios. Lastly, if your municipality has not activated the Abandoned Properties Rehabilitation Act via ordinance, it’s worth looking into. This powerful statewide tool can help move speculative property owners to fill their vacant buildings with businesses, among other benefits. Let NJBAC know if that’s something you’d like to explore!

Featured Grants & Support

The AARP 2024 Community Challenge is ON!  Looking to make visible and tangible change happen in your community and/or district as either a municipality or non-profit? Consider applying for the AARP Community Challenge. Since 2017, AARP has funded projects ranging from $500 to $50,000 with an average grant amount of $11,900. AARP’s Flagship Grants for this program can be used for: Creating Vibrant Public Places, Delivering a Range of Transportation and Mobility Options, Supporting a range of Housing options, Increasing Digital Connections, Supporting Community Resilience, and Improving Community Health and Economic Empowerment. Their Capacity-Building Micro-Grants ($2,500) go to projects that mostly benefit populations aged 50+ for Bike Audits, Walking Audits, and Making Homes for Accessible. They also have Demonstration Grants of typically $10,000 to $20,000 for the following topics: Enhancing digital connectivity (for ages 50+) to prepare and respond to disasters, equitable engagement to reconnect communities that have been divided by infrastructure, and Implementing housing choice design competitions that increase community understanding of the benefits of a variety of housing options for the 50+ demographic. There are webinars to get you in the know before applying and applications are due on March 6, 2024.  

Main Street New Jersey Designation Round is Opening:  The NJ Department of Community Affairs has announced a new Main Street New Jersey (MSNJ) designation round for 2024. In addition to becoming part of the Main Street America national network, a designated MSNJ community receives an array of intensive assistance designed to advance its local revitalization efforts and may be eligible for project-specific grants to support those efforts.  Eligible district management organizations can use the online application to apply, with applications being accepted between February 1 and March 15, 2024. NOTE: There is a required application workshop with two options: Thursday January 25, 2024 at 1:30 PM (click here to join) and Friday January 26, 2024 at 10 AM (click here to join).

Job Opportunity

NJBAC’s Cannabis Training Academy (CTA) is looking for a qualified NJ university or college student (undergraduate or Master’s program) to work as a paid intern in supporting the CTA’s Executive Director and Program Administrator in expanding the reach, acquisition and retention of prospective CTA students, instructors and mentors who are interested in participating in the academy.  The Academy itself will be starting in April 2024, so this is an amazing opportunity to work on a program that is the first of its kind in the entire nation.  The job description is attached and ready to be shared.  Interested applicants should send a resume with cover letter to Tauhid Chappell, Ex. Director of the CTA at: Tauhid.Chappell@sos.nj.gov

NJBAC Can Work With All the Businesses in Your Community

We are here for your communities’ and districts’ businesses. NJBAC offers free online chat and telephone (800-537-7397) assistance in English and Spanish to any business in NJ – any size, any location, and any type. Our team can advocate for businesses, concierge them to funding and technical solutions, help them find locations for growth or developing export markets, guide them to navigating the commercial cannabis sector, and much more. Want to set something up online or on-site for your businesses? Reach out to NJBAC Assistant Director Jef Buehler to get plugged in to all of our business success services.